New

[blancox]

Just got diagnosed on Tuesday with type 2. It was a shock but not a surprise--I've been abusing those wonderful carbs for years. I'm 40 years old, male, ~223 lbs.

Labs from Halloween:

Triglycerides 253
Glucose Fasting 206
HGBA1C 9.2%
Total cholestorol 141 (cool)

I haven't followed up with the doc yet in person (she left a VM and wrote perscriptions) but I'm starting on 2x 250mg (is that how you say it? 500mg pill cut in half) metformin. I watched YouTube videos on how to use OneTouch and read the instructions. 153 waking up, 159 an hour after breakfast (omelet).

I've had success in the spring as I lost 15 pounds on a low carb diet while exercising. I got back into old habits over the summer/fall but since the diagnosis I immediately snapped back to < daily 80g carb mode. myfitnesspal.com is a great site to track diet (similar apps abound these days).

In between, and in the years prior, I probably routinely had in excess of 200-300g of carbs half the time. Well, the hubris from that time is gone ("My family all lives to 100, dad and grandma don't have diabetes, I have time to fix it, etc.")

It's actually nice to know exactly what's up with me and how I can work on fixing it. And this forum was a very pleasant discovery.

[Josselyn]

Welome to the Forums. It's a pleasure to meet you, blancox. I'm fairly new to D myself, having been dx-ed in late May...and I was shocked. I had no idea at all.

It sounds as though you've got the right attitude...and low carbing is an effective way to lower your BG.

Feel free to post any questions or comments you might have.
You've found an outstanding website. I feel blessed to have stumbled upon it. I've never even looked an another for more than a minute or two. No comparison, and the people here are great.

I look forward to reading further posts from you.

[beau91]

Welcome to the forum Blancox .Like you said this is a nice forum .Bye Ricky

[fafafouy]

On my third week from Dx myself. Sounds like you are in a decent starting place. Your starting BG numbers are about 100 lower than mine were at Dx but I'm starting to see a downward trend on my tests so I'm hoping the Met is kicking in and my new excersize routine will bring things even more into control. Be well!

[jillrapp]

Welcome to your new Diabetes Forum Family. I'm glad you've found the place - it will change your life!

[gary.keith]

Welcome to DF!

[davef]

Hi there and welcome,

You have found a great place for information, support and help. Sounds like you have a positive attitude to taking control, that will stand to you.

A while ago somebody asked what our top tips for the newly diagnosed would be, well here are mine for a Type 2:

1. Relax, I know it seems like the end of the world right now, but it really isn't that bad. You can and will gain control, you will feel much better. But you have to give yourself time.

2. It's normal to feel a whole range of emotions, anger, greif, denial, sadness, fear and to feel overwhelmed. Yes, diagnosis is a big thing, it's a milestone but you will feel better. Grasp it as a chance to live a healthier life and don't ever feel alone, the forums are full of great people here to help and support you.

3. Test, test, test. Testing is probably your best tool in gaining control. Test morning, before each meal and two hours after first bite and last thing at night. By testing before/after meals you learn how different foods work for you, we are all different and it's only through testing that we learn what works best for ourselves. As Art here on the forums once wrote "Test, Eat, Test, Learn".

4. As another wise person (xMenace) once said, you can eat anything you want, but you will choose not to eat somethings. Don't get frightened about the idea of being on a special diet, you are not, you will find what works for you and you will find treats that you can eat from time to time.

5. Exercise, if you have not been exercising then fit some into your life. Don't try and do it, there is no try there is only do or do not (Yoda I think said that ). It really does help, especially with fasting numbers - in my experience.

6. Watch those carbs. Many of us find that reducing/limiting the number carbs we eat really helps. I have found that it helps to avoid high carb foods such as white bread, white rice, pasta & potatoes.

7. If you have been prescribed Metformin (Glucophage) don't expect to see immediate results, it does not work like insulin. It takes time to reach full effect, it is not unusual for it to take 3-5 weeks to reach full effect. Some people experience gastric issues (wind, diarrhea) but in most cases this will pass, reducing carbs helps this as does making sure to eat and then take the metformin. If you have gastric issues that don't subside after a week or so, talk to your doctor and see if Metformin ER (Extended Release) might be better for you, or if you could start on a lower dose and build up to the dose that was prescribed.

8. Get the book "The First Year: Type 2 Diabetes" by Gretchen Becker. I found it easy to read and very informative.

9. Relax (I know I said that, but do try)

10. Visit these forums, ask lots of questions, never be afraid to ask for help/advice, if something works for you then do it, if not then don't. Know you can come here to vent to people who will just "get it".

11. Build new habits. I found that working to build new habits, whether it's about what/how you eat, when you test etc. it really works. Once a habit has been established it's hard to break it.

12. Build a relationship with your Doctor, drug store etc, they are all part of team you. Don't be afraid to ask questions of your Doctor. Become the captain of your team, work with your team and draw on their knowledge/experience.

13. When I joined these forums, I was told to remember that "You control your diabetes, it does not control you" - it's true. Don't let it rule your life, there's is no such sentence as "I can't I have diabetes" - you can do what ever you choose to do.

14. Oh yeah, relax

Remember you are not alone. Will you stumble? quiet possibly, most humans do stumble from time to time, the important things is to get back up and start over.

Visit and post often,

[kgm0612]

HI & Welcome to the forum!

Follow Dave's great advice and you'll do fine!

Karen

[beau91]

Another thing ,I don't know if Dave told you Relax -relax -&relax ,.No jokes Dave gave you good advice .Bye Ricky